Gary and I have been to the Grand Canyon numerous times over the years, as have millions of visitors from all over the world. It is one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World and for good reason.
This 2-Billion-year-old canyon stretches almost 300 miles across Arizona and is 18 miles wide. The canyon reaches a depth of 1 mile at the lowest point, as the massive and ancient colorful rock walls meet the mighty Colorado River.
We had only ever visited the South Rim, the most popular and more easily accessible side of the canyon. The views and colors are truly breathtaking, a sight everyone should witness in their lifetime. Upon gazing out and down at the endless canyon below, one can’t help but gasp, “Ooh, Oh my goodness, or a Holy Moly.”
But the south rim comes with the price of overbearing crowds, lacking parking spots, and a general absence of peace with which to take in this sight.
We ventured this time, therefore, to the elusive and remote North Rim, and had the most memorable and wholly different experience.
The North Rim is technically only 10 miles apart “as the crow flies” from its sister rim but it takes over 4 hours to drive around from rim to rim. The North Rim is vastly more alpine, has cooler temperatures, and sits at 1,000 feet higher elevation.
Because the North Rim is higher, the river and winds (and time) that carved this majestic beauty created more jagged edges and peaks. The South Rim views allow for a clearer vista of the Colorado River and the canyon below. Fewer visitors to the north meant a more peaceful experience for us, so we got up early one day and headed straight for what was once the North Rim Visitor Center.
Last July 4th, a random lightning strike hit a lone, Ponderosa Pinetree and began a series of fires which would eventually burn over 145,000 acres and forever change the park’s landscape.
The Dragon Bravo Fire lasted two full months, destroyed over 100 structures, burned over 145,000 acres in both Grand Canyon National Park and the Kaibab National Forest, forced the complete closure of the North Rim for the remaining months of 2025, and forever altered future experiences for park visitors.
Right after the Dragon Bravo fire ignited, the White Sage Fire began just NE of Jacob Lake, burning another 60,000 acres.
Gary and I were able to view posters and pictures of what was once a beloved and historic lodge and visitor center, the lodge having been originally built in the 1920’s and renovated in the 1960’s. Modernization of both structures had been done over the past decades as well. These beautiful stone structures seemed to be timeless.
As we stood behind the chain-linked fencing, staring out at the incredible canyon views, we were struck at how devasting these fires had been and yet, how nice it was to be standing there with only four other humans.
Most incredible was the fact that one of the other couples there at that precise moment also resided in Naples, Florida! Isn’t that the most amazing coincidence! We met them again throughout the day as we went to various look-out spots. We finally decided to exchange numbers so we could get together this Fall for a nice dinner and get to know each other more!
Another coincidence we experienced was at the campsite we booked at Kaibab RV Village by Wilde in Jacob Lake. We were parked surrounded by three other campers all from Florida! We love meeting new folks, like David, fellow travelers and wanderers, and having the chance to hear their interesting travel stories.
To fully appreciate the wonder of the Grand Canyon, I believe you need to visit both rims. They each have a story to tell. Each provides breathtaking views and a look back in time itself. Each layer of rock exposed, each carving of the rock face, every fallen tree or carved-out arch, connects us to millions of years of weathering, erosion, and perhaps, God’s hand in gifting the world with beautiful places to explore and marvel at.